Single Screens Caught in a Tough Spot as Tere Ishk Mein’s 2-Week Clause Threatens Dhurandhar’s Show Count

Tere Ishk Mein is just two days away from release, and the film is already showing strong signs at the advance booking windows. We as a trade circles believe the Dhanush–Kriti Sanon starrer could deliver a solid opening, especially in the mass belts. But behind the scenes, several single-screen owners are stuck in a difficult negotiation that has delayed ticket sales in many key cinemas.

According to industry chatter, the distribution team of Tere Ishk Mein, led by AA Films (Anil Thadani), has put forward a set of conditions for single-screen exhibitors. Our insider from exibition explains that theatres were first asked to dedicate all their shows in the opening week to Tere Ishk Mein, a demand most owners have accepted considering the strong buzz. However, the bigger issue lies in the second clause: single screens must commit to giving the film at least two shows even in its second week.

This is where the real conflict begins.

Dhurandhar, the Ranveer Singh-starrer, arrives on December 5. If single screens agree to the terms proposed by AA Films, they will be forced to accommodate only limited shows for Dhurandhar, reducing its visibility on its opening day. Exhibitors feel this isn’t a fair situation, as both films are carrying positive momentum and both deserve proper showcasing in their respective release weeks.

Many theatre owners are worried that if they limit Dhurandhar to just a couple of shows, they might lose out on valuable business, especially from regions where mass entertainers traditionally perform best.

Our source added that single screens are hoping for a middle-ground solution. After a dry November, most of these cinemas are desperate for solid footfalls. Their last reasonable performer was Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat, which itself didn’t make it to several properties in the first week. With Tere Ishk Mein being a mass-friendly film and Dhurandhar promising strong buzz, exhibitors want both releases to get the space they deserve.

Right now, the impact of this ongoing standoff is clearly visible on the ground. Many iconic single screens across Mumbai and other major centres have still not opened advance bookings for Tere Ishk Mein. The delay isn’t due to technical issues, it directly stems from the ongoing negotiation and the discomfort exhibitors have with the two-week commitment.
These cinemas are fully prepared to launch bookings, but they’re holding back until a fair and workable arrangement is reached.

This selective and cautious approach from several theatres has given hope that a resolution might be close. If talks move in the right direction, bookings could open nationwide at any moment.

But this entire situation also reflects a worrying trend in the industry.
When two big films arrive close to each other, or when strong buzz titles clash back-to-back, such negotiations have quietly become the norm. These arm-twisting practices put exhibitors under pressure and create unnecessary imbalance. It’s neither fair to the exhibition sector nor to the distributors of both films.

Both Tere Ishk Mein and Dhurandhar have strong potential, both have genuine buzz and both can draw audiences across single screens, interiors as well as multiplexes. Each deserves an equal and fair launch.

The industry needs to ensure that healthy competition doesn’t turn into unhealthy control, especially at a time when theatres are craving consistent footfalls.

Stay tuned with CineInfinity for more updates on this.